The recorded economic costs of alien invasive species in Italy

Abstract

Whilst the ecological impacts of invasion by alien species have been well documented, little is known of the economic costs incurred. The impacts of invasive alien species on the economy can be wide-ranging, from management costs, to loss of crops, to infrastructure damage. However, details on these cost estimates are still lacking, particularly at national and regional scales. In this study, we use data from the first global assessment of economic costs of invasive alien species (InvaCost), where published economic cost data were systematically gathered from scientific and grey literature. We aimed to describe the economic cost of invasions in Italy, one of the most invaded countries in Europe, with an estimate of more than 3,000 alien species. The overall economic cost of invasions to Italy between 1990 and 2020 was estimated at US$ 819.76 million (EUR€ 704.78 million). This cost was highest within terrestrial habitats, with considerably fewer costs being exclusively associated with aquatic habitats and management methods, highlighting a bias within current literature. There was also a clear indication of informational gaps, with only 15 recorded species with costs. Further, we observed a tendency towards particular taxonomic groups, with insect species accounting for the majority of cost estimates in Italy. Globally, invasion rates are not slowing down and the associated economic impact is thus expected to increase. Therefore, the evaluation and reporting of economic costs need to be improved across taxa, in order to mitigate and efficiently manage the impact of invasions on economies.

Metal accumulation in relation to size and body condition in an all-alien species community

“…At the same time, such works can help build a baseline for understanding interactions between these species and metals in other places where invasive populations have been established. One of the examined species for which significant relationships were identified (P. clarkii), owing to its high impacts and costs (Haubrock et al 2021d;Kourantidou et al 2021), is listed among the worst invasive species in Europe (Nentwig et al 2018) and in the Union list of invasive species of concern attached to the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on invasive alien species (the list of invasive species for which management actions are mandatory). With almost no native fish species left in the Arno River (Balzani et al 2020;Haubrock et al 2021a), our finding that predatory fish species were the only ones with significant relationships, suggesting that feeding habitats are likely among the primary drivers of metal accumulation, is key to future restoration initiatives.…”

Knowledge needs in economic costs of invasive species facilitated by canalisation

“…Haubrock et al 2022b;Kouba et al 2022), countries (e.g. Haubrock et al 2021a;Renault et al 2021), and entire regions (e.g. Kourantidou et al 2021).…”

Horizon scanning for invasive arthropods with the potential to threaten crop production industry in South Africa

“…Invasive alien species can have various negative effects on society and the economy, including management expenses, crop loss, and infrastructure damage (Haubrock et al, 2021). During the past 7 years, South Africa experienced invasion of highly aggressive and economic pests from other countries.…”